,

ANTERO C. CELI
Remarks relative his illnesses or disabilities World War II

I, the only son of recognized guerilla, Antero C. Celi, conformably with attached
certified machine copy of the certification from NPRC, 1 Archives Drive, St Louis,
MO, has filled up VA Form 526 for and in his behalf for he died on September 0,
1993, after failing in his search covering his guerrilla status for services rendered
from April 9, 1943 to January 31, 1946. I continued his search for we belonged to
the same guerrilla organization, 4th Operative District, Hocson Unit, Free Luzon
Intelligence Echelon, under the command then of Lt-Colonel Macario Peralta Jr
USAFFE, which search reached seventy-seven (77) years from 1945 to 2022.
Without the Internet, no one in our intelligence squad knew whether our guerrilla
outfit was recognized or not. Our said squad knew that we were under the 5 th
Operative District. No one told us that we were moved or transferred to the 4 th
Operative District.

Prior to joining the said 5thor 4th Operative District, my father and I were with the
Western Luzon Guerrilla Armed Forces (WLGAF) under the overall command of
General Thorpe, US Army, based in Zambales. Capt Ted Miller, US Army, was the
Sector Commander for Western Pangasinan, Lt Hermogenes Ibanez was his
confidant in Bolinao, Pangasinan. In or about June 15, 1942, said Lt Hermogenes
Ibanez told my father, who did not report for duty as Chief of Police, Bolinao,
Pangasinan, after his bout with pneumonia in May 1942, told my father to join the
guerrilla movement, recruit men to fight the enemy (Japanese), which he did. He
was inducted as 1st lieutenant, WLGAF, and given the command over the men he
recruited, I was given the rank of Sergeant.

In or about February 1943, Capt Ted Miller was captured in Agno and Lt
Hermogenes Ibanez was also captured in Sitio Cabas-an, Bolinao, both in
Pangasinan, and were executed in Tayug, also in Pangasinan, by the Japanese.
Almost at the same time, my father was picked up in Bolinao and brought to
Dagupan City, imprisoned and tortured, in or about February 15, 1943 to March
10, 1943, at the Japanese Military Police headquarters, on reports that he was a
guerrilla. Mr. Nakashima, a prewar businessman in Dagupan City, and a close
friend of my father, on his learning that his friend from Bolinao was in prison at
the Japanese MP headquarters went there, and told the officer in command
thereof, that my father was not a guerrilla. By that, he was released, he thanked
his friend, Mr. Nakashima and left Dagupan City for Bolinao. In Bolinao, upon
learning that Capt Ted Miller and Lt Hermogenes Ibanez were executed, my
father, in or about March 15, 1943, disbanded the guerrilla unit he organized and
commanded for he had no contact with the higher echelon of WLGAF. It was only
thru Capt Ted Miller, and he was executed.

In or about April 9, 1943, Mr. Braulio Petalver, my Grade VI then, asked that we,
my father and I, join his intelligence squad, to which we agreed, My father, said
Antero C. Celi, was the given the task of a courier of our intelligence squad to
bring and deliver the intelligence information, data and sketches of Japanese
positions, motor pools, radar, Japanese big motorized sailboats anchoring at the
Bolinao Port, that the squad gathered, to then Capt Candido Guadiz, Provincial
Operative Commander. To hide his identity as a courier, he engaged in buying
firewood in Bolinao, loaded same in a sailboat, for sale weekly in Dagupan City.
His job was stressful for he was always under close surveillance by the Japanese
Military Police, Dagupan City, thru their Filipino trolls, after his imprisonment in
said Military Police headquarters.

The torture my father suffered in prison and his fear of possible execution by the
Japanese Military Police, when he had not yet recovered fully from his
pneumonia, and the stress and tension in bringing and delivering intelligence
materials to the said Provincial Operative Commander caused him to cough
frequently for a phlegm blocked his nasal passages by the throat. Dr. Miguel de
Perio, in or about March 1, 1944, told my father that the pain, he was
complaining, on his chest was an outward sign that he had hypertension. He told
my father to drink plenty of water to draw out the phlegm sticking by his throat.
Dr. de Perio prescribed medications for his lung problem and hypertension, which
he religiously took daily. Notwithstanding these ailments that affected his body,
he continued to perform his duties as courier above stated. After the
disbandment of the squad on January 31, 1946 and as he aged, said ailments
worsened notwithstanding his taking his medications daily. The latter disability
was the cause of his death on September 9, 1993. Dr.de Perio stated above is
dead, hence he could not provide a certification on his treating my father,
In view of the above, I sincerely request and pray that my father, Antero C. Celi,
stated above be given accrued compensation effective January 3, 1968 (65 years
old) to September 9,1993 (his death), for services rendered, caused by his said
hypertension, during World War II in the Philippines. Likewise, if there is a benefit
for his 97 years old only son, being his next of kin, who has many disabilities,
kindly do not hesitate in giving the same to him (me).

I certify that all the statements in the above stated remarks are true and correct.

Respectfully submitted:

AnteroC.Celi
Veteran
By:

JesusA.Celi
SSN 589-21-6430
Son-Claimant.